SAARC is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1985 to promote economic and social progress in South Asia. It has 8 member countries and several observer countries. SAARC aims to improve welfare, accelerate economic growth, and strengthen cooperation among South Asian nations. Major areas of cooperation include agriculture, trade, education, science and technology. The highest decision making body is the Council of Heads of Government or State that meets biennially.

2. INTRODUCTION
• SAARC is an eco-political organization of 8
South Asian nations, which was established on
8 December 1985 in Dhaka (Bangladesh) for
friendship and cooperation among themselves
and with other developing countries.
• Covering a population of more than 2 billion,
SAARC is the largest regional organization in
the world.
• SAARC Headquarter; Kathmandu, Nepal

3. HISTORY
• Idea of regional cooperation in South Asia was
discussed in atleast three conferences:
– the Asians Relations Conference in New Delhi in April
1947
– the Baguio Conference in the Philippines in May 1950.
– the Colombo Powers Conference in April 1954
– The first concrete proposal for establishing a
framework for regional cooperation in South Asia was
made by the late president of Bangladesh, Zia-ur-
Rehman, on May 2, 1980.
– Established on 8 December 1985.

4. AIMS and OBJECTIVES
• Welfare of the people of south Asia.
• Economic growth, social progress and cultural
development.
• Strengthen selective self-reliance among the countries
of south Asia.
• Understanding and appreciation of one another's
problems.
• Strengthen cooperation among themselves as well as
with other developing countries and international and
regional organizations.
• Maintain peace in the region.

5. Members
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• India
• Maldives
• Nepal
• Pakistan
• Sri Lanka
• Afghanistan ( joind 2007)

6. OBSERVER
1. Australia
2. China
3. Iran
4. Japan
5. Republic of Korea
6. Mauritius
7. Myanmar
8. USA
9. EU

7. POTENTIAL FUTURE MEMBERS
• Myanmar has expressed interest in upgrading
it's status from an observer to a full member
of SAARC.
• Russia has expressed interest in becoming an
observer of SAARC.
• South Africa has participated in meetings.

8. AREAS OF COOPERATION
• Agriculture & Biotechnology
• Trade & Finance
• Education
• Information, Communication & Media
• Science & Technology
• Energy & Environment
• Tourism & Social Development
• Culture
• People-to-People Contacts

9. SAARC- INSTITUTIONAL SET-UP
• Council
The highest authority of the Association rests with the Heads of State or Government. The Council
comprises Foreign Ministers of the Member States.
• Council of Ministers (COM)
It assist council. The Council formulates policies, reviews progress, decides on new areas of cooperation,
It meets once in 2 year.
• Standing Committee (SC)
It is comprised by the foreign secretariat of the member government. Its major functions are: To monitor
and co-ordinate the programmers, To determine inter-sectored priorities, To mobilize cooperation within and
outside the region, To deal with the modalities of financing.
• Programming Committee (PC)
it consist of the senior official of the member governments. Its functions include: Scrutinizing the budget
of the secretariat, Finalizing the annual schedule, External activities assigned by the standing Committee,
Analyses the respects of the technical committee.
• Technical Committee (TC) -7,
It consist of the represented of the member nations. Its function are: To formulate project and
programmes, To monitor and execute the projects, To submit reports. Cover Areas like Agriculture,
Communication, Environment, Rural Development, Health and Population, Science and Technology, Tourism
and Transport.
• SECRETARIAT
The SAARC secretariat is located in Nepal. The secretariat is headed by the secretary-General appointed
by the Council of Ministers. Its function include: Coordination, execution and monitoring of SAARC activities,
Servicing the SAARC meetings, Works as communication link between the SAARC and other international
forums.

10. SUMMITS
• 1st Summit (Dec 1985):
Venue: Dhaka
– Reaffirmation of the UN Charter and respect foreach
other's sovereignty.
– Concern over the global economic crisis. Declaration
of belief in the objectives and the continued relevance
of the Non Aligned.
– Movement. Expression of concern over the poverty in
the SAARC region and commitment to improving
social and economic conditions
• 2022 summit ; Pakistan – Islamabad

11. IMPORTANT
• Launch of SAARC Satellite for South Asia; 2017
• SAARC Specialized Bodies;
1. South Asian University (SAU) – India
2. South Asian Regional Standards Organization (SARSO) – Dhaka
3. SAARC Development Fund (SDF) – Bhutan
4. SAARC Arbitration Council (SARCO) – Pakistan
• 1st Secretary General of SAARC; Abul Ahsan
(Bangladesh)
• Current Secretary-General of SAARC; Esala Ruwan
Weerakoon (Sri Lanka) – Took office from 1st March
2020
• Last SAARC Summit; 19th SAARC Summit in Pakistan
(Cancelled)

12. REFERENCE
• https://www.saarc-sec.org/
• https://byjus.com/free-ias-prep/south-asian-
association-for-regional-cooperation-saarc/
• https://globaledge.msu.edu/trade-blocs/saarc

13. THANK YOU